Honestly, having a small bedroom isn’t as bad as you think. I have a small bedroom myself, and I know it can be tricky to style it and make it feel bigger than it really is. However, small bedrooms do have an advantage: they’re naturally cozy. And that’s what a bedroom is all about. A space to relax and feel comfortable. We can’t change the size of our bedrooms, but we can make the most out of it. In this post, I’ll share my best tips and tricks to make your bedroom look bigger while keeping it cozy and stylish.
How to Make a Small Bedroom Look Bigger
1. Colors will Make or Break it
Now let’s dive into the most obvious part of making your bedroom look bigger than it actually is: colours. And I’m not going to say you should only use light colours. Yes, they make a difference, and yes, they do make your bedroom look bigger, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use darker shades too. Balance is key here.
For example, you could paint your walls a lighter colour like off-white, pastel colors, beige, or light brown. Then add decor like throw pillows and blankets in a slightly darker shade, just to make it feel more homely.
Or you could paint all your walls light but create one accent wall in a darker shade. This adds a focal point, makes your bedroom feel super cozy, and stops it from looking too bland.
2. Acrylic Furniture
This honestly is such a good and easy way to make your room feel so much more spacious. The key here, however, is not to go overboard.
Like, not going all out with acrylic furniture because then your bathroom won’t look cozy at all, and it will honestly even look kind of weird. What I am thinking is to just add some acrylic furniture pieces here and there.
Like, for example, an acrylic nightstand or an acrylic chair if you have a make-up vanity in your bedroom as well. The great thing about it is that it creates a sense of openness, and it visually doesn’t take up much space at all. This way, you will create the illusion of having a much bigger bedroom.
3. Furniture with Legs
Obviously, this only applies if you haven’t bought furniture yet. If you haven’t, definitely try to go for furniture with legs. The reason is that the floor stays visible, thus making your bedroom appear a little bit more spacious.
4. Reflective surfaces
When we talk about reflective surfaces, the first thing that probably comes to mind is mirrors. But there’s more you can do than just mirrors. Of course, mirrors are amazing because they reflect a lot of light and make a huge difference. Especially if you hang them across from a window.
As I mentioned, there are other options too. You could go for shiny picture frames, glass boxes, and metallic decor pieces. Basically, anything that’s reflective or metallic. Because the more light your room gets, the brighter it looks, and the bigger it appears.
5. Make Use of Vertical Space
Alright, now we’re moving on to vertical space in our bedrooms. You might think it’s best just to leave the space empty. And to some extent, that’s true. Overloading your walls can actually make a room feel smaller.
However, if you use your walls smartly, your bedroom can appear much larger while making the most of the space. For example, hanging shelves all the way up to the ceiling creates a visually higher room.
Another option is a loft bed instead of a regular bed. This takes up less floor space and leaves room for other things. Maybe a small office, a reading nook, or extra storage.
Finally, mounting your lights on the walls instead of using bedside lamps frees up even more floor space.
6. Effective Use of Lightning
Speaking of lightning, it actually deserves a separate spot in this post because it’s that important. The thing is that the right lighting is actually going to change the way your room feels.
There are some key things you have to keep in mind to make that change. Instead of having only one light source, make sure you have multiple. So you already have a ceiling light, which isn’t even the best because, I mean, your bedroom is supposed to be a cozy space.
But apart from that, you definitely need more, like fairy lights, table lamps, or floor lamps. And it’s even better if you can hang them on the wall so you’re avoiding them taking up too much floor space. Overall, this will make your space feel taller and also more spacious.
Another great thing is that using LED strips, you can place them under your bed frame or on shelves, for example. What that will do is create a sense of depth by separating furniture from the floor.
7. Invisible Storage System
If you have lots of open shelves with lots of small items lying around, it will look very cluttered. That’s why I always think it’s better to store everything away as much as possible. Use the space under your bed to hide boxes with stuff, or, if there is still space in the closet, place boxes to store things.
And even if you store things openly, try to keep them visually consistent. That means using the same boxes, a color system, and, most importantly, keeping them closed.
8. Wall Decor
If you hang too many things on the walls of your small bedroom, it can quickly feel quite cramped. Obviously, that’s not what we want.
Try to keep your walls as free as possible. And if you decide to decorate them, the rule is: the bigger, the better.
For example, a large painting instead of a gallery wall. Believe me, your room will look much more harmonious and spacious.
9. Keep Door Area Free
What I mean by this is that the first impression literally matters. Like, when you walk through the door, you don’t want to feel overwhelmed immediately, right? So, when you walk in, you want to feel a sense of openness instead.
That’s why I wouldn’t place the biggest piece of furniture directly in your line of sight when you come in. And of course, keeping your space clean will help as well. Really, you should be able to open the door without it bumping into anything.
10. Some More Furniture Tips & Tricks
- Don’t push every piece of furniture against the wall. Instead, try to leave some space around them. That will create visual depth and automatically make your room feel much larger and spacious.
- Use multi-functional furniture to save as much space as possible. Like a bench with storage, a bed with drawers, or a foldable desk. Trust me, especially for small bedrooms, multifunctional furniture is the ultimate lifesaver.
- Consider furniture with built-in mirrors. For example, I have a mirror built inside my closet, which is so nice. Not only because it reflects light, but also because you can see your outfit from behind. Obviously, this only works if you also have a mirror on the wall.
11. Smart Symmetry
Symmetry creates peace. And that’s why it’s so important to create balance in your space.
You can achieve that by:
- using matching nightstands or table lamps. (Use wall sconces to free up floor space)
- hanging two smaller pieces of artwork side by side, or just one large one instead of a bunch of mini pieces.
- placing two vases, plants, candles, sculptures, etc., opposite each other on a nightstand, shelf, or dresser.
- using matching throw pillows on both sides of the bed.
These are the best ways to create symmetry and make your bedroom feel a lot calmer.
12. Patterns: Yes or No?
The thing is, patterns are absolutely helpful for adding personality and character. However, in a small bedroom, using patterns generously is too much. It doesn’t help to make your bedroom look bigger. But when used cleverly, they can definitely help.
For example, subtle vertical stripes or textured fabrics help to create height. And all without cluttering up your space.
Now you may be wondering how you can achieve this, right? Try vertical stripes on curtains, throw pillows, bedding, or wallpaper.
To Sum it Up
Making your small bedroom look bigger than it is is easy. We now know that. And I always find it fascinating what you can achieve with just a few adjustments here and there. However, I think what’s more important is to just love the space you have. Small, big, it doesn’t matter in the end because all you do is sleep and/or maybe work. As long as it’s a cozy place where you can genuinely relax, you win.
